After a House Fire Checklist

A step-by-step guide for Arizona homeowners. Use this checklist to stay organized from the first 24 hours through final claim settlement.

Phase 1: First 24 Hours

Safety and immediate needs come first. Do not re-enter the structure until the fire department clears it.

Ensure everyone is safe and accounted for

Find temporary shelter (Red Cross, friends/family, or hotel)

Call your insurance company to report the loss and open a claim

Arrange care for pets displaced by the fire

Retrieve or replace essential prescriptions and medications

Secure valuables if the structure is safe to enter (with fire dept. permission)

Contact family and close friends to let them know you are safe

Request a copy of the fire report from the fire department

Keep a notebook or phone note

Start recording every phone call, email, and expense from day one. This log becomes critical when dealing with your insurance company. See our insurance claim guide for details.

Phase 2: Week 1

Begin documenting, securing, and organizing. This week sets the foundation for a successful claim.

Obtain the official fire report from the fire department

Document all damage with photos and video before any cleanup begins

Secure the property with board-up or temporary fencing

Contact a contents restoration company for packout and inventory

Start tracking Additional Living Expenses (ALE) — save every receipt

Notify utility companies (electric, gas, water) of the damage

Contact your mortgage company to report the fire

Forward your mail or set up a temporary mailing address with USPS

Do not throw anything away

Even items that look destroyed may have insurance value. A contents company can inventory and document everything before disposal decisions are made. Learn more about who handles what after a fire.

Phase 3: Weeks 2-4

Detailed documentation and claim setup. This is where organization pays off.

Complete a detailed room-by-room contents inventory

Meet with your insurance adjuster for the property inspection

Track every out-of-pocket expense with receipts and notes

Start a call log — date, who you spoke with, and what was discussed

Review your full policy for coverage limits, ALE cap, and deadlines

Notify your employer and children's schools of the situation

Begin assessing which items can be cleaned versus replaced

Get repair and reconstruction estimates from licensed contractors

Use our free tools

Our free recovery tools can help you calculate ALE, track expenses, and estimate depreciation so you are not leaving money on the table.

Phase 4: Month 2 and Beyond

Long-term recovery. Stay engaged with your contractor, your adjuster, and your contents company.

Monitor reconstruction progress and communicate regularly with your contractor

Submit supplemental claims for any newly discovered damage

File for recoverable depreciation once repairs and replacements are complete

Prepare for pack-back — confirm cleaning and storage status with your contents company

Update your insurance policy to reflect repairs and improvements

Review the final settlement to make sure nothing was missed

Request return of your cleaned and restored contents

Close out the claim and confirm all payments have been received

Do not forget recoverable depreciation

Most Arizona homeowner policies pay actual cash value (ACV) first, then reimburse the depreciation once you prove you replaced or repaired the items. This can be thousands of dollars. Read our insurance claim guide for step-by-step instructions.

Related Resources

Fire Damage Insurance Claim Guide — navigate the insurance process step by step
Who Does What After a Fire — understand the roles of adjusters, contractors, and contents companies
Free Recovery Tools — ALE calculator, expense tracker, and depreciation estimator

Need help with your fire recovery? We guide Arizona families through every step on this checklist.

Call 623-400-6771

Available 24/7 · Insurance-covered services